b.
Evaluating the Resources Used
It
is easier and more flexible to apply an evaluation to resources
than it is to apply one to lessons. You will have in mind what
you want resources to do, and the resources themselves often tell
you something about what you can expect of them. However, there
is danger in both of these positions.
Firstly,
you should always be aware of how individual and subjective your
own expectations of ICT based learning resources are likely to
be. Secondly, you should be aware that ICT resources are often
'sold' as doing more than they can really be expected to do in
a real classroom situation.
Both
of these facts held true of the resources used in the case study.
In the case of the World Wide Web translation engines, the teacher
expected them to be easier to use than they were, and expected
them to do more in terms of providing focused learning than they
did. It was only after the first phase of their use that the teacher
became critically aware of the benefits and shortcomings of the
resources as methods of modeling relationships between language
activities and controlling outcomes by setting the parameters
very clearly at the outset. In the case of the use of word processor
or presentation software to present materials, and especially
the use of the PowerPoint to illustrate the models, it was easier
to evaluate resources because the teacher had created them himself.
As
a form of guide, I would suggest the following range of questions
be applied to ICT based learning resources:
- How
much resource-specific learning do I as a teacher have to do
to make the resource work in the classroom, and is it worth
it in terms of time and effort spent and saved?
- How
easy is it for pupils to 'see through' the resource to the subject
specific learning I want them to experience?
- How
technically and practically robust and stable is the resource
when being used repeatedly under different circumstances and
by different learners?
- How
generally applicable is the resource-content, and can I adapt
it once I am familiar with the resource?
- How
well does the resource integrate with other resources and teaching
methodologies I use as a matter of course?
You
should apply these questions to all ICT based resources you use,
and especially in this case study the web sites' translation engines.
As you become more familiar with asking the questions, you will
of course become more effective in your use of resources, and
they will in turn begin to pay you back more quickly for the effort
you put into them.
 c.
Adapting the Resources for Different Learners or Work
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